Le Culs Nuls
Surf Guide
This long stretch of scalloped golden sand has earned a reputation as the best beachbreak in Europe, and one of the best in the world, for its tubes. Thick, meaty shorebreak barrels that'll leave you picking sand out of various orifices for weeks after a solid session. There's a huge trench offshore, not unlike Black's in San Diego, so the swell gets focused on the few miles of sand that make up Hossegor. But the tides in France are extreme (they can vary by 20 feet) and the sandbank that you surf in the morning will probably be a closeout shorepound by lunch. It's also prone to Atlantic flat spells.
Ability Level
Intermediate - Advanced
Intermediate to advanced
Local Vibe
Doable
The locals surf well and know each other. If they don't know you, bring a healthy dose of humility and respect.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
Crowded and cosmopolitan; bigger beachbreak generally keeps 'em down though.
Spot Rating
Perfect
World Class beachbreak tubes when it is on.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
A lot of work when it is pumping.
Water Quality
Dirty
Can be very poor.
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
NW, W
Wind
E, ESE
Surf Height
head-high to double overhead
Tide
medium low